Bone marrow (reticuloendothelial system) scintigraphy for haematological follow-up of radiochemotherapy-treated...

To assess the bone marrow capacity before a new treatment decision, 99mTc-human serum albumin bone marrow scintigraphy (with qualitative and quantitative evaluation) was performed in 32 patients with solid tumours or malignant lymphomas previously treated with radiochemotherapy. In the group with a normal bone marrow capacity, the blood counts were normal (14/16 cases) or became normal (2/16 cases) in the follow-up period, and the examined marrow samples exhibited normal haemopoiesis. In the group with a reduced bone marrow capacity, one or more blood counts were low in 14/16 cases. Decreased haemopoiesis was observed in only 4 of 8 examined marrow samples. The following conclusions were drawn. (1) A scintigraphically normal bone marrow capacity relates to normal haematological parameters, and therefore treatment plans could be decided on. (2) Although a reduced bone marrow capacity indicates pathological haematological conditions in the majority of cases, further studies are needed to evaluate its precise significance. (3) Application of this non-invasive, inexpensive, repeatable, non-immunizing method is recommended before a therapeutic plan is decided on for patients at considerable haematological risk.